An evaluation of eXpress Data Path from a 5G perspective : Offloading packet processing functions of a 5G simulator to a driver context

Abstract: The world of computer networks is constantly evolving towards more efficient algorithms and more effective ways of using hardware resources. One of these evolutions is the eXpress Data Path (XDP). XDP is an interrupt based data path in the Linux kernel. XDP uses JIT-compiled programs in a virtual machine in a device driver context. Through XDP, fast packet processing is possible while still keeping the functionality of the Linux kernel intact. Therefore, this thesis aims to illuminate possible use cases for XDP in 5G simulators, as this real-world application of XDP is of interest. Specifically, use-cases where there is a need for fast packet processing. This thesis evaluates the use-cases using a performance evaluation of XDP and a literary review of 5G simulators, XDP, and technologies relating to XDP. This evaluation indicates that XDP is a candidate for packet processing in 5G simulators, specifically when compared to what performance is possible currently. This thesis argues from the performance evaluation and the literary review that XDP can be used for small programs, preferably data ingestion, in 5G simulators.